Missy Franklin Lights Up Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade

PHOENIX, Arizona, December 30. MISSY Franklin's megawatt smile was the centerpiece of yesterday's Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade. The Olympian, named Grand Marshall of the parade through central Phoenix, sat atop a convertible, waving to the crowd, while one of her four London Olympic gold medals dangled from her neck. The parade is held every year prior to the Tostitos Fiesta College Football Bowl game on January 3.

Franklin wore the blanket on her lap during the parade Saturday morning. She sat atop a convertible for the 2.5 mile parade route, waving to crowds of spectators that turned up to the see the Olympian in the flesh.

Franklin will return to Arizona of January 1, to train for several days at a club team in Scottsdale, prior to the Tostitos Fiesta bowl on January 3 in Glendale, Arizona. Franklin also graced the cover of the 2012-13 Fiesta Bowl Entertainment Guide.